Parents pass down so many physical and personality traits, and one thing many parents can’t wait to pass down to their children is their love of sports!
Taking a child to his or her first professional sporting event can be fun and exhilarating but can also be nerve-wrecking and overwhelming. That is why it’s important to be prepared before you go to make the occasion as memorable and positive as possible.
What is the right age to bring your child to a sporting event? Unfortunately there’s typically no rule to follow for that so use your best judgment and make sure your child is at the age that both you, and he or she, will be comfortable. Take into consideration how loud the event may be – should you bring headphones just in case to protect your child’s ears? Also be wary of climate conditions – don’t forget to hydrate, use sunscreen or bring a jacket, depending on the forecast. If your child is comfortable in his or her surroundings, it’ll make the event way more fun for all!
Most children will be too young to really understand and follow what’s going on at a sporting event, so how do you keep them entertained? Snacks are always a must! And getting them a piece of memorabilia from the team shop (like a flag, ball or toy car) will keep them occupied and is a great souvenir from your time together.
If you’re a diehard sports fan, you have to come to terms with the fact that you probably won’t be paying much attention to the game if you’ve brought your child. But this is your opportunity to take your focus away from the score and teach your child about what’s going on and the rules of the game. This special bonding time is priceless.
Also, don’t forget a camera – you will definitely want to capture all of the memories! Going with my 3-year-old cousin to his first professional baseball game is something I’ll never forget because of the great pictures I captured. His favorite part of the game was definitely doing the “Mexican wave” but I know he also enjoyed learning all about the sport in person from his dad and the atmosphere around him.
Have you taken your child to his or her first sporting event? Or, do you remember yours as a child? Share your memories in the comment section below!
